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A Faint Cold Fear

by Karin Slaughter

Fiction ThrillerMysteryCrimeAudiobookSuspenseMystery Thriller
422 pages
Daily Reading Time
5min 10hrs

Book Description

When a brutal murder shakes a small town in Georgia, the past claws its way into the present, leading to a chilling showdown between love and betrayal. As local detective Sara Linton and her ex-husband, Will Trent, delve into the evidence, they uncover dark secrets that threaten to unravel everything they hold dear. Eyewitnesses turn to shadows, and trust begins to fray as the countdown to another life lost accelerates. With each twist, the air thickens with tension, and the line between victim and suspect blurs. Who can you trust when the fear gets cold?

Quick Book Summary

"A Faint Cold Fear" is a riveting thriller set in rural Georgia, where medical examiner Sara Linton is called to a college campus after a student is found dead. What initially appears to be suicide quickly unravels into something more sinister as further violence erupts. Sara, working with her ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, faces mounting pressure as fear grips the town and more bodies surface. The investigation exposes deep-seated secrets and tests personal relationships, as Sara’s sister Tessa becomes a victim herself, thrusting the case into even higher personal stakes. As Sara and Jeffrey race against time to catch a manipulative killer, trust becomes scarce and the threat intensifies, making every relationship suspect and every choice critical.

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Summary of Key Ideas

The Complexity of Human Relationships

The story opens on the college campus of Grant County, Georgia, where the apparent suicide of a student draws Sara Linton, the town’s medical examiner, and her ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver. The scene is unnerving and quickly escalates when Sara’s sister, Tessa, is violently attacked at the same location. What began as a routine investigation suddenly becomes deeply personal, sharpening Sara’s resolve to uncover the truth and spurring underlying tensions between her, Jeffrey, and their colleagues.

The Ripple Effects of Trauma

As bodies continue to pile up, the investigation reveals a tangled web of secrets within the college and the surrounding community. Sara and Jeffrey peel back layers of deception, encountering resistance at every turn. Key witnesses become unreachable or unreliable, and the credibility of suspects erodes under scrutiny, leaving the investigators with limited leads. The sense of unease intensifies as Sara realizes the killer seems to be one step ahead, exploiting trust and manipulating evidence.

The Search for Truth Amidst Deception

The psychological toll of the case affects everyone involved, particularly Sara and Jeffrey, whose complicated relationship is tested by professional strain and personal trauma. The attacks force Sara to confront not only the immediate danger but also unresolved emotions from her past, especially as her family’s safety is threatened. Trauma and fear permeate the narrative, showing how violence leaves scars that go far beyond the physical.

The Fragility of Trust

Themes of trust, betrayal, and secrecy dominate the investigation, as Sara must decide whom she can rely on. Friendships and loyalties are questioned, and characters reveal unexpected depths and motives. The lines between victim and perpetrator blur, complicating the search for justice. Suspicion falls on those closest to the case, reminding readers that evil sometimes hides in plain sight.

Confronting the Past

The climax builds to a harrowing confrontation which forces characters to face both the hidden horrors and their own vulnerabilities. As the mysteries unravel, some relationships are shattered while others are cautiously mended. "A Faint Cold Fear" explores the darkness lurking beneath the surface of even the smallest towns and the resilience required to persevere in the face of overwhelming fear and betrayal.

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